Irish’s POVI sit in class, staring at the open textbook in front of me, but I don’t see the words. The letters blur together, meaningless shapes on the page. My fingers grip the edge of the desk, my knuckles turning pale. My mind isn’t here. It’s on her. It’s on Ava.She had refused to let me follow her home yesterday. I had wanted to, my entire body itching to chase after her, but she had looked at me with those stubborn eyes, daring me to respect her space. I had known it was a bad idea to let her go alone, but she didn’t give me a choice. And now, regret sits heavy on my chest like a weight I can’t shake off.I don’t know if she made it home safely. I don’t know if she’s okay. And it’s driving me insane. My fingers tighten even more around the desk, my jaw clenching so hard it aches. I should have followed her. Rules be damned. Ava always acts like she doesn’t need anyone, but I know better. She’s reckless. She does things on her own, even when she shouldn’t.I bounce my leg under
Irish’s POVMy legs feel heavy as I walk down the school corridor, my jaw clenched so tightly it aches. I can barely think straight. Ava’s absence is gnawing at me, and the more I try to calm down, the worse it gets. She took a sick leave, and something about it doesn’t sit right with me.Ava isn’t the type to just disappear. She’s stubborn, always showing up no matter what.And the only suspect is Zach. I saw him with her yesterday, talking in that smug, careless way he always does. The memory makes my fists curl involuntarily. He’s always flirting, always playing games, and I wouldn’t put it past him to mess with Ava somehow.The thought burns i
Ava’s POVI remember waking up to that awful burning sensation. It felt like my whole body was on fire, itching so badly I could barely breathe. I shifted in bed, trying to get comfortable, but even that didn’t help. The sheets scraped against my skin, making it worse.Why did I feel like that?I rubbed my arms, hoping it would ease the itch, but it didn’t. If anything, it made it worse. I remember sitting up slowly, feeling my heartbeat pick up as I pulled back the blanket. That’s when I noticed my skin.Red blotches covered my arms, the skin looking raw and irritated. It wasn’t just my arms either, my legs were the same. I tugged at the neckline of my nightgown, and my stomach dropped when I saw the
Ava’s POVTheir eyes watched me in silence as I came closer. I could feel the weight of their stares like they could see right through me, see every patch of red blotchy skin, every ache, every lie I was trying to keep buried. My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the hem of my shirt, hoping they wouldn’t notice, but deep down, I knew they already had.And then Irish spoke. His voice was low, cold, and sharp enough to cut through the silence in the room.“What happened to your body?”I froze for a second, my heart racing. The words hit me hard, and my stomach twisted into knots. I didn’t know what to say, or how to explain. His tone wasn’t casual there was something dangerous in it, like he was
Ava’s POVI froze as soon as Steve said it.“I’d rather take Ava,” he’d said, his voice calm, but the impact of those words hit me like a punch to the chest.Sarah’s face hardened immediately. I could see the anger flash in her eyes, even though she tried to hide it by forcing a smile. My stepmom was watching too, her lips pressed tightly together, and I could already feel the Anger.I needed to fix this, fast!I swallowed hard, trying to think of something that would smooth things over. Then, without giving myself time to hesitate, I grabbed Steve’s hand and gave it a little tug. His hand was warm and strong, and for a second, my mind w
Ava’s POVThe sting of the slap still burned on my cheek as I stood quietly. I could feel my eyes watering, but I refused to cry in front of her. She had already hurt me enough, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing my tears. “You humiliated Sarah in front of the three brothers!” she lashed out again, her voice sharp like a knife cutting into me.“I didn’t humiliate her,” I said softly, careful not to raise my voice. I was hurt, yes, but I still respected her enough not to yell.“You’re lying!” she snapped, raising her hand and slapping me again. My head jerked to the side, but I didn’t move. I didn’t fight back. I just stood there and let the pain settle on my skin. “You need to stop talking back and just admit that you embarrassed Sarah!”My face throbbed, but I pressed my lips together and stayed silent. There was no use arguing with her. No matter what I said, she wouldn’t believe me. She never did.“I didn’t mean to embarrass her,” I said after a moment, my v
Ava’s POV“Can we be friends?”Friends? With Vanessa? I didn’t see that coming, and from the look on Vanessa’s face, she didn’t either. Her eyebrows shot up as she stared at Sarah like she’d just grown two heads.“You want to be my friend?” Vanessa asked, her voice dripping with pride. She tilted her chin up and gave Sarah that smug, know-it-all look she loved using to make people feel small. “Do you even realize who I am? I’m the Alpha’s daughter. The one and only Alpha’s daughter.”She said it like she expected Sarah to back down, like just hearing those words would make her rethink her decision. But Sarah didn’t even flinch. Instead, she smiled wider and let out a soft laugh, like she wasn’t intimidated at all.“I know exactly who you are,” Sarah said sweetly. “And that’s why I want to be your friend. You’re strong, confident, and, well… I can tell you’re a good person deep down. I think we could really get along.”For a moment, Vanessa didn’t say anything. I could tell she wasn’t
Ava’s POVI rush to the rooftop, my breath coming out in quick gasps, my chest rising and falling as though I just ran a marathon. My head spins, and I press my hand against the cold wall to steady myself. Everything feels like it’s caving in on me all at once, like I’ve somehow lost control over everything happening around me.What’s going on? I don’t even know anymore. First, there’s Sarah, acting all friendly with Vanessa. Then there’s Vanessa and her weird conversation with Sarah, Zach suddenly acting like he cares, and Irish stepping in and punching Zach in front of everyone. And now… now I’m here, on the rooftop, feeling like I’m losing my mind.I lea
Steve's POVAva had been down for days after the incident with the pack members. Although we assured her that everything was going to be alright, she had retreated into her shell, and we didn't like that.We didn't like that the vibrant and free-spirited Ava was replaced with a gloomy one who didn't want to get out of bed all day, staring into space.We've tried everything possible to get her back to her usual self. Iris tried to have her help him in the kitchen, but she was still lost, staring into space a couple of times.Zayne tried to play some games with her, but she was moody throughout the game. I tried to take her shopping, but she dreaded going out of the hous
Iris's POV "Did you just refuse me because of this girl?" The Alpha asked, visibly pissed that he had been denied.Zayne was about to stand up and reply to him with the anger already raging within him, but I stopped him with my hand.His anger was palpable, and if care wasn't taken, he could do or say something that would destroy everything entirely and most especially make us lose Ava permanently.Zayne probably had the same thoughts since he sat back down and curled his fingers into fists to suppress his anger.I stood instead, shifting everyone's attention to me. Including Vanessa, who had been smiling at Ava. And Ava, who had looked petrified. The least of the things he expected to happen was this, and it shook her to her bones. It was so visible. I was certain that was what Zayne saw when he wanted to stand to challenge the Alpha. "With all due respect, Father, there is a misunderstanding here. You should listen to what we have to say rather than make a rash conclusion." I dir
Ava's POV A knock sounded on the door, and I knew that the triplets were here.I unlocked the door, and they walked in, each of them asking if I was okay.They seemed excited, and I wondered what it was all about until they broke the 'good news to me'"So, we had dinner with the Alpha, and he asked us to bring our mate to him. He would love to see you, Ava." Steve broke the news to me in a calm voice.My voice hitched in my throat."W….what?" I asked, fear visible on my face."It's fine, Ava, you don't have to be scared. The Alpha is really cool, and we're going to be there to protect you as well." Zayne spoke from behind, his words made me feel safe."You have us every step of the way, Ava, we're not going anywhere, so relax," Iris spoke this time, and I felt calm. He was the calm one amongst the triplets, and he often let me tap into his calmness. I heaved a sigh and let a smile across my face. A smile that was meant to make them drop the topic. "Okay," I replied, and they seemed
Author's POV After Zayne walked away without saying a word to her, Vanessa knew that she got him pissed off. Not only him, but the triplets.The word about her planting the paper had spread through the school like wildfire, and even though Zayne didn't say anything to her at that moment, she was going to face the consequences of her actions."Shit...!" She huffed and bit her lower lip as she shot Zach a glare.She walked away as well, in anger.She didn't even get the response she hoped for from Zach or change his mind about Ava because he was still playing helper-good guy.As she made her way home, she grew even more angry at the turnouts of events. She could have lied to her brothers, telling them that it was all plotted against her, but now, Zayne had already heard her admitting what she did to Zach."Perfect! Just perfect! Suspended from school and caught red-handed by my brother, who would no doubt spread the news to the others, who would most likely see me as a bad person now.
Zayne POV "Did you hear what happened during the exams?" A student asked her friends, who nodded frantically. "Is it about the Ava girl? Of course, we did." Another replied.My ears flared at their words, but I did not stop walking."I saw everything unfold from the exam hall window. I must say, Zach saved the day." The third girl added with a cheesy smile that made my stomach churn.What Zach did for Ava that day was all over school, and different students had different things to say concerning it. While some said that Zach saved the day, some of them strongly believed that Zach had feelings for Ava and that his act was just a means for him to show it to her.All the theories didn't sit well with me, but I wasn't going to do anything about it. Not yet. Until I spoke to my brothers, and I was going to meet them. We agreed to meet behind the school library after school, and I got there just in time to see Iris and Steve waiting for me.Steve looked troubled, pissed even while Iris r
Author's POV Vanessa walked out of the cafe and down a street not far from the school they attended. She settled on one of the pavements along the path.She was sure that Zach was going to walk the path home, so she waited for him.Those words Jessica and Barbie said concerning Zach never left her mind as she constantly thought about what Ava had on her that made Zach follow her around like a pauper.She thought they had a connection, but Zach's movements towards Ava crushed whatever hope she had of being in like minds with Zach. 'Where are you, Zach? We do have a lot to talk about...' she spoke inwardly as she dangled her legs forward-backward while waiting on the raised pavement.She waited for hours and almost lost hope of seeing Zach. While she was waiting for him, some students passed by the path and they shot glances at her. Some were mocking glances, some were pitiful glances, and others were irritated glances."Ahh, shit..." Vanessa bit her lower lip as she cupped the side o
Author's POV After the unexpected outcome in the exam hall, Jessica and Barbie waited for Vanessa in the school's cafe to deliberate on the issue.They knew that they were in deep shit. Vanessa kept them in charge of lookouts, but somehow, someone was able to record a video of her planting the paper. And it wasn't just anyone, it was Ava"Oh my God, she's coming, she's coming. What do we do?" Barbie announced with panic as she sighted Vanessa closing in on them."Hey..." Jessica greeted, unsure of the response she was going to get."Don't hey me!" Vanessa replied a lot louder than intended, causing the customers in the cafe to shift their gazes."Don't do that. How did that witch get the evidence? And she didn't just get any evidence, she had a freaking video of me planting the cheat. I wonder how she was able to make that video when I had two grown women look out for me!" She said with anger etched in her voice as she folded her hands across her chest, expecting an explanation. Jes
Ava's Pov "I have what you need," he smiled, but I wasn't ready for any of his games.I had an agenda, and I didn't have the time to waste with Zach. The corridor was sparsely populated, and he had dragged me to a corner."Leave me alone!" I wriggled myself out of his grip, and he released me. "Fine, but at least hear what I have to say to you before you completely rule me out." He blocked my path, I noticed an unusual sincerity in his voice and eyes, so I paused."What do you want from me? You heard and you want to rub it in my face, or maybe you are part of it, aren't you?" I folded my arms across my chest and raised a brow."How lowly you think of me, but I won't blame you. I was mean to you in the past, but I want to right my wrongs.""How?""Is this what you're looking for?" He handed a phone to me.My eyes doubled their size when I watched the content playing. I didn't quite have good experiences with random videos, but thankfully, this was not a video of me stripping; it was
Ava's PovIt was not just a quiet walk of shame since I was literally dragged to the council. The teacher from the disciplinary committee had been diligent enough to make a very big deal about the situation as she interrupted my exam."Can I at least finish my exam first? I promise, I don't know how those papers got there." I had tried to plead with her earlier, but it was pointless to reason with her."You want to write what you memorized, not so?" She had cruelly seized my answer booklet and handed it over to the invigilator before calling the security to drag me out like a criminal. My life of peace was often short-lived, and this was just another ditch as usual, and like the rest, I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Malpractice was a huge no-no in our school, and they gravely frowned against it.I saved my tears and explanation for when I stood before my persecutors. Actually, since they were convinced I was guilty of the charge.I waited several minutes before it